Sarga 53: Vishvamitra Covets Shabala
Shabala Prarthana
After the wish-fulfilling cow Shabala furnishes a magnificent feast, King Vishvamitra offers vast wealth and armies of elephants, chariots, and horses to obtain her, but Vashishtha refuses every bargain.
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एवमुक्ता वसिष्ठेन शबला शत्रुसूदन। विदधे कामधुक्कामान्यस्य यस्य यथेप्सितम्।।1.53.1।।
Meaning
Thus addressed by Vashishtha, scorcher of foes, the wish-fulfilling Shabala produced whatever each person desired, according to each one's own wish.
इक्षून्मधूं स्तथा लाजान्मैरेयांश्च वरासनान्। पानानि च महार्हाणि भक्ष्यांश्चोच्चावचां स्तथा।।1.53.2।।
Meaning
Sugarcane, honey, roasted grain, fine liquors and excellent drinks, costly beverages, and food of every variety, high and low.
उष्णाढ्यस्योदनस्यात्र राशय: पर्वतोपमा:। मृष्टान्नानि च सूपाश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च।।1.53.3।। नानास्वादुरसानां च षाडबानां तथैव च। भाजनानि सुपूर्णानि गौडानि च सहस्रश:।।1.53.4।।
Meaning
There were heaps of hot, rich rice like mountains, delicious cooked dishes and curries, streams of curd, and thousands of vessels brimming with sauces of every delightful flavor and with preparations of the six tastes, and jaggery sweets in abundance.
सर्वमासीत्सुसन्तुष्ठं हृष्टपुष्टजनायुतम्। विश्वामित्रबलं राम वसिष्ठेनाभितर्पितम्।।1.53.5।।
Meaning
Rama, the entire army of Vishvamitra was thoroughly satisfied, its people delighted and well-fed, feasted by Vashishtha.
विश्वामित्रोऽपि राजर्षिर्हृष्ट: पुष्टस्तदाभवत्। सान्त:पुरवरो राजा सब्राह्मणपुरोहित:।।1.53.6।।
Meaning
Vishvamitra, the royal sage, was then likewise delighted and satisfied, along with the ladies of his palace and his priests and brahmins.
सामात्यो मन्त्रिसहितस्सभृत्य: पूजितस्तदा। युक्त: परमहर्षेण वसिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्।।1.53.7।।
Meaning
Together with his ministers, counsellors, and attendants, all duly honored, filled with the greatest delight, he spoke this word to Vashishtha.
पूजितोऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन् पूजार्हेण सुसत्कृत:। श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि वाक्यं वाक्यविशारद।।1.53.8।।
Meaning
Brahmin, I have been honored by you with hospitality worthy of the highest esteem; hear now, eloquent one, what I wish to say.
गवां शतसहस्रेण दीयतां शबला मम। रत्नं हि भगवन्नेतद्रत्नहारी च प्रार्थिव:।।1.53.9।। तस्मान्मे शबलां देहि ममैषा धर्मतो द्विज।
Meaning
Let Shabala be given to me for a hundred thousand cows; lord, this is a jewel, and kings are the gatherers of jewels — therefore, brahmin, give me Shabala, for by right she is mine.
एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तम:। विश्वामित्रेण धर्मात्मा प्रत्युवाच महीपतिम्।।1.53.10।।
Meaning
Thus addressed by Vishvamitra, the venerable, righteous Vashishtha, foremost of sages, replied to the king.
नाहं शतसहस्रेण नापि कोटिशतैर्गवाम्। राजन् दास्यामि शबलां राशिभी रजतस्य च।।1.53.11।।
Meaning
Not for a hundred thousand cows, nor for hundreds of millions, nor for heaps of silver, king, shall I give Shabala.